MY ACCOUNT
Checkout
Courses + Products
SHOP

Weddings

Justin + Chasity

filed in:

Today is the PERFECT day to blog a beautiful tropical wedding because it is the furthest thing from “tropical” around here! It is nasty outside!! I’m curled up with my puppy, next to the Christmas tree and it’s pouring on this 40 degree morning. I’m secretly hoping it turns to snow tonight!! Michael and I were so spoiled this past weekend. We spent Thursday, Friday and Saturday in the Dominican Republic with a super sweet couple from Anchorage, Alaska!! Talk about a climate change! Justin and Chasity recently moved to Alaska for his job and they left sub-zero temperatures to come and get married in paradise! (Smart move!). It was beautiful, warm, and an absolutely STUNNING location to start a new life together!

Chasity is a photographer and when she contacted me about photographing her destination wedding, I was honored. I was honored because I know that if you’re in the photography world, you know of DOZENS of photographers that could capture your wedding day and do a great job! Why Chasity chose a redhead from Virginia? I don’t know…. but I’m so thankful that we were given the chance to get to know this sweet couple and capture this amazing celebration.

Destination weddings are SO different from our normal weddings that we shoot. Sure, they are smaller and less stressful but what a lot of people don’t realize is that for a photographer, it’s a very intimate experience because you’re spending time with the  couple and their BEST friends and family for over two days (in most cases!).  After meeting Chasity for breakfast, meeting their families, waving to them from across the pool, passing them and chatting on the beach, hanging out at rehearsal and then photographing the rehearsal dinner and doing a quick engagement shoot…. I felt like I had known these people my whole life! Both their families and their friends were so welcoming to Michael and I. We immediately felt like a part of the group and that’s important when the whole wedding is less than 50 people!

Justin and Chasity actually had a large destination wedding. 40 of their friends and family flew into Punta Cana to celebrate with them!! Justin mentioned during rehearsal that you know you have amazing friends when they’ll travel out of the country for your wedding!! From beginning to end, their day was perfect. Of course it was a little windy being right on the water but beautiful view was worth a little hair in the face! I’m so excited to share some of my favorites from this gorgeous Dominican Republic wedding at the Secrets resort in Punta Cana!! Enjoy!!

And Justin and Chasity, thank you for allowing us to be there to celebrate with your friends and family! We absolutely LOVED capturing your day and we can’t wait to share your full gallery so that you can share your day with all of your friends back home!!

 

  Chasity’s dress was custom made just for her!  Loved these Kendra Scott earrings!!  Just beautiful!! Chasity!! You’re gorgeous!!!!! First Look!  Ohh tropical light is AMAZING!  stunning. Love these bridal shots!  Sweet sisters!  What an amazing ceremony location!! WOW!! Watching Chasity come down the aisle:) Annnd there was a rainbow. Could this be more perfect?!  MARRIED!!!! FAVORITE!!!! Just beautiful!  They had all of their guest write postcards as a guest book!! So fun!  Hanging out before the reception…Now THAT is an awesome reception venue!
Annnnd SURPRISE!! They surprised their guest with FIRE dancers!!!  crazy!  Perfect shot to end this tropical, colorful post! I hope you enjoyed it! 

Thanks for reading!

— Katelyn

R6 Flat Files

How to Fix Flat R6 Images We finally found a solution!

A year ago, we promised to find a solution for those who were complaining about their R6 raw files looking dull and lifeless in Lightroom. However, due to various circumstances, we couldn’t deliver on that promise until now.

READ MORE
The Katelyn James Podcast

Kelly is an incredible wedding photographer who has been shooting 90 weddings a year. I know, it sounds unbelievable, but it’s true! Kelly’s success and the volume of work she handles is truly impressive.

Kelly Sea & Katelyn James
READ MORE

Ep. 34 | How She is Booking 90+ Weddings a Year And staying sane while doing it!

The Katelyn James Podcast
Free Posing Class

Free Posing Class The KJ Way

Your sessions should be working FOR you not against you!

READ MORE
Education
Manual Mode Made Easy

Mastering Manual Mode The Simple Way!

Shooting in manual mode might seem complex and overwhelming at first but there is an easier way!

READ MORE
Youtube

Welcome to your Lightroom Classic Starter Guide video!

Lightroom Classic Beginner Guide
READ MORE

Lightroom Classic Starter Guide Everything You Need to Get Started!

Youtube
5 Essentials to Turn Pro

5 Essentials Beginners Need to Go Pro and make your photography business a success!

I’m breaking down the MUST-HAVE ITEMS that every photographer needs to be successful at the start of their career! 

READ MORE
Youtube

READER FAVORITES

"Best money I have EVER spent on education! ... and I've spent a lot!”

- Kara Abbey, ALL-ACCESS MEMBER

"I love all the lessons I'm learning from KJ All Access! Thanks Katelyn!”

- Shannon Drummond, ALL-ACCESS MEMBER

"I find very few educational resources worth it ... this one is!”

- Kate gansneder, ALL-ACCESS MEMBER

"Recently signed up for KJ All Access and it's EVERYTHING!”

- Kassidy Mowery, ALL-ACCESS MEMBER

"Being able to see behind-the-scenes of Katelyn interacting with her clients has been SO impactful!”

- Angie mcpherson, ALL-ACCESS MEMBER

"Recently signed up for KJ All Access and it's EVERYTHING!”

- Kassidy Mowery, ALL-ACCESS MEMBER

"SO worth it! It's amazing the amount of knowledge you get out of them!”

- Brittany Lowe, ALl ACCESS MEMBER

"I learned just as much in one All Access as I did in a whole course! SO GOOD!"

- Joanna Krueger, ALL-ACCESS MEMBER
10 Steps to Starting Your Photography Business
Helping a friend survive a season of Infant Loss
How to photograph a first look in Harsh Light
OUR KJ COUPLES REUNION
A Lake Como Destination Wedding - Greg and Kate
A Letter to the Go-Getters fearful of Motherhood

The KJ blog
must-reads

The KJ Blog is where you get to know me, where you meet our KJ Couples and see their beautiful wedding days, where I have been building an archive of education for over a decade and where I let you see a peek into our life, our home, and hear about our purpose! 
don't miss the
Arrow KJ
Arrow KJ
Arrow KJ
Arrow KJ
Arrow KJ
Arrow KJ

YOUTUBE

Join 93,000+ others and learn, grow and get connected via our Youtube Channel! This is where I'm constantly sharing new content, talking all things gear, business, tips, tricks and letting you into the behind-the-scenes of our everyday life! 
MORE FREE EDUCATION + CUTE BABIES ON
WATCH NOW

"I have invested in all of KJ’s education!

The way she teaches makes so much sense and I’m so grateful for her! My business will be forever changed!"

- Renee Nicolo

"KJ education has been life-changing

 It has elevated my work so I could quit my day job and work from home with our baby boy!"

- joanna k.

"I'VE INVESTED IN SO MANY RESOURCES... 

and none compare to what I get from KJ!"

- LAUREN M.